DR. WALLACE: I'm in love with a girl. She told me that she loves me more than anyone on Earth. We are both 17. We always talked about marrying someday and living in a pretty white cottage with three children and a big shaggy dog.

She and I got into a huge argument about two weeks ago. It ended when I told her that I was never going to take her out again and never wanted to see her again. It was just an emotional outburst, and I really didn't mean what I said.

That night she overdosed on her mom's sleeping pills. Her younger sister found her on the bedroom floor and called for her parents. They rushed her to the hospital, and her stomach was pumped. She had tried to end her life. I'm very glad that she failed. She told her parents that she tried to end her life because she was distraught over our breakup.

I went to her house when she got home from the hospital, but I was shocked when her mom blamed me for her suicide attempt! She told me to get out of her house and that her daughter never wanted to see me again, and I should not even call her on the phone.

Dr. Wallace, I do love this girl. She is the most important person in my life. I can't imagine not seeing her again. Am I in any way responsible for her suicide attempt? Please tell me what I should do. — Nameless, Seattle, Wash.

NAMELESS: You are not responsible for her suicide attempt. She has a severe emotional problem, but she should overcome it with professional help and a lot of loving patience.

Her parents are looking for someone to blame, and you made a convenient scapegoat. They probably would have been closer to the mark if they had just looked into the mirror.

Unfortunately, you have no choice but to honor their wishes for now. This girl needs to go through a healing process. Any friction between you and her parents will only complicate things for her. Wait until she has fully recovered before you try to make contact again.

THE COACH FOLLOWED THE CORRECT PROCEDURE

DR. WALLACE: I remember that you were the varsity basketball coach at Phoenix Union High School here in Arizona, so I know you can answer my question.

Are you supposed to put ice or heat on a sprain? My son sprained his ankle at basketball practice, and the coach put ice on it. This happened a week ago, and he still can't put any weight on it. My husband and I thought he should have put heat on it. Are we thinking correctly? What exactly is a sprain? — Mom, Phoenix, Ariz.

MOM: The coach followed the correct procedure for sprains. I checked with an athletic trainer and was told to put an ice pack on the injured area every 10 minutes for several hours. Also, if possible, the injured person should lie down and elevate the injured part of the body above the head.

A sprain occurs when the ligaments connecting muscles to bones are torn. It is a serious injury accompanied by extreme pain, swelling and sometimes discoloration. All sprains should be X-rayed to see whether there is a fracture. To protect the sprain and prevent swelling, the injured area should be wrapped with an elastic bandage.

P.S. I enjoyed teaching and coaching in your great city!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.